Product Description
A 10-Week Study for Women
The book of Esther reads much like a fairy tale: a young Jewish queen, her wise older cousin, an evil royal servant, and a self-centered king. But Esther is no fairy tale. From the beginning of the book to the end, God is the main character of the story—even though he’s never mentioned.
Join Lydia Brownback as she digs deeper into the book of Esther and learn how God is faithful to keep his promises and deliver his people. This story ultimately points to the gospel, revealing the need for a better deliverer, a better king, and a better kingdom than any found in this world.
The Flourish Bible Study series equips women to study the overarching storyline of the Bible book by book. Designed for individual or group use, each 10-week workbook features conversational teaching that aims to make in-depth Bible study accessible to women in all seasons of life, along with practical application questions and additional recommended resources.
Paperback, 128 pages
Publication Date: August 2020
Table of Contents
The Place of Esther in Biblical History
Introduction: Getting into Esther
Reading Plan
Week 1: A King’s Feast (Esther 1:1–22)
Week 2: An Unlikely Queen (Esther 2:1–23)
Week 3: An Evil Man and an Evil Plan (Esther 3:1–15)
Week 4: Such a Time as This (Esther 4:1–17)
Week 5: Rise and Fall (Esther 5:1–14)
Week 6: Haman’s Very Bad Day (Esther 6:1–14)
Week 7: Exposure! (Esther 7:1–10)
Week 8: A Great Reversal (Esther 8:1–17)
Week 9: Deliverance (Esther 9:1–19)
Week 10: A Feast for All Time (Esther 9:20–10:3)
Helpful Resources on Esther
Notes
Endorsements
“If you’ve participated in women’s Bible studies, you know there is no shortage of studies on Esther written for female audiences. Why consider this one? First, because it devotes a full ten weeks to moving line-by-line through a mere ten chapters, employing excellent and accessible study skills along the way. But even better than that, Esther: The Hidden Hand of God points us beyond Esther herself to the One she served. Here is a study intent on making disciples who know and worship their God.”
Jen Wilkin, Bible teacher; author, Women of the Word; None Like Him; and In His Image
“The brilliant and beautiful mix of sound teaching, helpful charts, lists, sidebars, and appealing graphics—as well as insightful questions that get the reader into the text of Scripture—make this a study women will want to invest time in and will look back on as time well spent.”
Nancy Guthrie, Bible teacher; author, Even Better than Eden
“If you’re looking for a rich, accessible, and deeply biblical Bible study, this is it! Lydia Brownback leads her readers verse-by-verse through Esther, providing maps, timelines, commentary, and questions that probe the text in order to glean understanding and application. She settles us deeply in the context of the book as she highlights God’s unfolding plan of redemption and rescue. You will learn, you will delight in God’s word, and you will love our good King Jesus even more.”
Courtney Doctor, Director of Women’s Initiatives, The Gospel Coalition; Bible teacher; author, From Garden to Glory; coauthor, Behold and Believe
“Esther: The Hidden Hand of God provides a visually engaging study with accessible content to help women understand the content of the book of Esther in the context of the whole counsel of Scripture. As a women’s ministry leader, I am excited about the development of the Flourish Bible Study series that will not only prayerfully equip women to increase in biblical literacy but also come alongside them to build a systematic and comprehensive framework to become lifelong students of the word of God.”
Karen Hodge, Coordinator of Women’s Ministries, Presbyterian Church in America; coauthor, Transformed: Life-taker to Life-giver and Life-giving Leadership
“Lydia Brownback’s Bible study on Esther is a sturdy and faithful guide for us. Providing rich insights into context, guiding our investigation into details of the text, and encouraging us to respond to the character and work of the unmentioned God, it helps us better know our Bible and our saving and sovereign Lord. I will recommend it for years to come for those looking for a wise, Christ-centered study that leads toward the goal of being transformed by the word.”
Taylor Turkington, Director, BibleEquipping; author, Trembling Faith
Author:
Lydia Brownback (MAR, Westminster Theological Seminary) is the author of several books in addition to the Flourish Bible Study series, including the On-the-Go Devotionals for women; Finding God in My Loneliness; and Sing a New Song. She is a regular speaker at conferences and events and is passionate about teaching God's word.
